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Grider finally seeing big-time success

Texas singer/songwriter Josh Grider has been gunning for some success since 2005, and now he’s getting it.

In 2005 Grider released his first album, which was self-titled. Since then he’s worked towards releasing even more albums, writing songs and getting both his name and his work out as much as possible.

Grider will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Wild West.

Grider has a lot going for him these days, and it all really started developing for him last year.

“I had been in a position where one thing was going strong, but for everything to come together at once, I feel like it pushed off and gave us some momentum for what we were trying to do,” Grider said.

Not only did Grider end up on the docu-reality show “Troubadour, TX” last year and this season as well, he also landed a deal with AMP Entertainment, a new publishing/artist management company. Last year Grider also signed with Paradigm, a major booking company.

Each individual venture would be enough to start a good head of steam, but with all of them tied together, Grider found himself building a large amount of momentum for his latest EP, “The Gettin’ There.”

The leadoff single was “Lone Star Highway;” it was his fifth single to chart and also became his first No. 1 hit.

“It was awesome,” Grider said, referring to the success of his single “Lone Star Highway.” “I’ve been putting out records for a while, with my first record coming out in 2005. Still being in the game, it’s gratifying. We had such a good feeling, and I had a lot of confidence in the project, and I thought that it was a great first single from the record.”

“We’ve got a little something happening,” Grider said and laughed. “I’m in a good spot. Obviously we have a long way to go, but the momentum and the trajectory feels good. It was kind of like a perfect storm.”

The single that followed “Lone Star Highway” was “Summer and Sixteen,” and it became his second No. 1.

His current single from the EP is “Smallest Town On Earth.”

Grider is once again featured on “Troubadour TX,” which is viewed throughout the United States. Last season’s episodes were broken down into those artists who are “Living the Dream” and those who are “Chasing the Dream.”

Grider said this season will also feature a few iconic Texas performers, including Kris Kristofferson and Lyle Lovett.

“Kris Kristofferson and I think Lyle Lovett are doing an episode,” Grider said. “It’s not just current guys playing, but they (producers) are also paying respect to the history of the Texas troubadours and the freedom of the music that we hold so dear in our Texas culture.”

As for what’s on the horizon for Grider, he said he is set to perform at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He is also set to play the music festival in Steamboat Springs, Colo., as well as the JABFest in Austin. A video for “Summer and Sixteen” has also been shot and will more than likely be ready for release in the next few weeks.

Besides playing the bigger festivals and events, Grider said he’s going to be on the road playing as many concerts as possible supporting both his album and the latest single. He’s also ready to go back into the studio soon to record another album.

“Man, there’s a ton of stuff happening,” Grider said. “It is all just moving and it feels like it’s moving fast. I’ve waited a long time for all this to happen, and I’m just embracing it.”

The Great Divide with Josh Grider

■ When: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

■ Where: Wild West, 2216 N. I-27.

■ Tickets: $8 in advance (plus applicable fees), $10 day of the show for ages 21 and older, $12 day of show for ages 18-20.